Damage-resistant key holder



March 17, 1953 E. J. PROTSMAN 2,631,449

DAMAGE RESISTANT KEY HOLDER Filed May 25, 1950 INVENTOR. Edward J. Prorsm on ha'f i w ATTORNEY Patented Mar. 17, 1953 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE DAMAGE-RESISTANT KEY HOLDER Edward J. Protsman, Denver, Colo.

Application May 25, 1950, Serial No. 164,218

4 Claims. 1

The present invention relates to a damageresistant key holder. It has to do particularly, although not exclusively, with an improved key holder to which several keys may be attached and held permanently attached as long as desired, against accidental separation or displacement.

Various types of key holders are on the market, such as the bead chain type, but after sustained use, the parts of these presently known key holders, particularly those of the key chain type, become worn and broken, often causing the loss of keys which loss can, of course, cause serious difiiculties and inconvenience. The bead chain type of key holder has the additional objection and disadvantage of providing no means for separating or maintaining the several keys separated on the holder and the user thus finds it often necessary to finger through the entire group of keys to select the one which he chooses to use at a given time. There are, of course, so-called key cases on the market in which individual keys are supported by individual rings or clips but these are usually bulky items and since the cases thereof are ordinarily formed from leather, or similar material, requiring considerable labor to produce, their cost is high and sometimes prohibitive to the average user.

One of the objects of the present invention is to provide an improved damage-resistant key holder in which individual keys may be maintained separately on the flexible key-supporting means of the holder.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an improved damage-resistant key holder which is relatively small and of relatively light weight and in which the key-supporting means may be employed to provide separate loop-like portions for receiving and supporting individual keys so as to maintain the keys permanently separated from one another to permit the easy and ready selection of the particular key desired at a predetermined time.

A further object of the present invention is to provide an improved damage-resistant key holder preferably formed from wear-resistant material which will not mar or damage pocket linings or the linings of ladies purses or pocketbooks.

Another object of the present invention isto provide an improved damage-resistant key holder of the foregoing nature in which the key receiving and supporting means can be rearranged so that a single key, for example, may be disposed at one end of the body portion of the holder and two or more keyssupported by individual loops may be disposed at the posite are oi the body p tion of said holder. g

A further object of the present invention is to provide an improved damage-resistant key holder having preferably a hollow body portion with a removable plug-like member or internal barrel disposed therein, said plug-like member having sockets or pocket portions for receiving and supporting the ends of a relatively fine gauge closely woven steel cable fromwhich the key-supporting loops or portions of the key holder are formed, and also having means for holding the plug-like member in the hollow body portion to retain the parts of the key holder in operative positions against accidental separation, which separation might permit the release of the supported keys.

Another and important object of the present invention is to provide an improved damageresistant key holder formed from durable materials and one which iscapable of manufacture by high-production methods and at relatively low cost.

The foregoing and other objects and advantages of the present invention will appear from the following description and appended claims when considered in connection with the accompanying drawing forming a part of this specification wherein like reference characters designate corresponding parts in the several views.

In said drawing:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment of the damage-resistant key holder of the present invention.

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary elevational view, partly in section and partly broken away of the key holder of Fig. l.

Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the internal pluglike member or block of the key holder, being shown removed from the hollow body portion thereof.

Fig. 4 is a view similar to Fig. 3 of the plug-like member or block, taken after said member has been turned approximately from its position of Fig. 3.

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary detail sectional perspective view of the plug-like member or block showing the key holding flexible cable member in position therein and indicating one member of preventing the accidental displacement of the cable from the member.

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary perspective View of the opposite free ends of a length of cable for the key holder embodying the present invention, showing means attached thereto for maintaining the ends of the flexible member in engagement with the sockets or pocket-like portions of the block; and

Fig. 7 is a fragmentary detail sectional view,

partly in elevation, showing a modified form of means for retaining the block or plug-like memher in operative position within the hollow body portion of the holder.

Before explaining in detail the present invention it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and arrangement of parts illustrated in the accompanying drawing, since the invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or carried out in various ways. It is to be understood also that the phraseology or terminology employed herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation, and it is not intended to limit the invention claimed herein beyond the requirements of the prior art.

Referring now particularly to the drawing, the damage-resistant key holder of the present form of the invention is shown as a whole at H1 and comprises an elongated hollow body portion I I which, as shown, is substantially cylindrical or tubular. The ends of member II are preferably chamfered, as seen at III) in Fig. 2. The body portion contains a removable block or plug-like member, shown as a whole at I2, which is of substantially the same length as member I i and which is of a diameter which permits it to be slid into place in the body II and fit relatively snugly therein. in the form shown in Fig. l of the drawing, the piston-like member I2 is held in position within cylinder II against accidental displacement, by a threaded stud or screw I3. such as a fillister screw, which is passed through an opening in sleeve II and which threadedly engages a socket IZa formed in plug I2, see Fig. 3.

ihe telescoped and interfitting members I I and I2, when assembled and secured together as seen in Fig. 1. hold in operative relationship the flexible key receiving and holding member or means of the device which is shown as a whole at I4, and which comprises, preferably, a length of relatively small or fine gauge steel cable whose ends are engaged with sockets or pocket members formed in plug I2 and which extends outwardly beyond opposite ends of body portion II and internal plug I2 to provide either single loops, and/or a plurality of loops adjacent the ends of said body portion; or a single loop Ma at one end and a pair of loops Mb and I40 at the other end, as illustrated, by way of example, in Fig. 1.

With particular reference to Figs. 2 and 6 it will be noted that the wire cable or flexible member Id is preferably provided at each of its free end portions with preferably tubular stop members, such as metal sleeves or ferrules I5, which are slipped over the cable ends and preferably welded or soldered to the cable. Other stop means may, however, be substituted.

With particular reference to Figs. '2, 3, 4 and 5, it will be seen that the plug member or block I2 is provided with a longitudinally extending continuous peripheral groove or channel I6 at one side and with a pair of similar but interrupted longitudinally extending short grooves I! in its opposite peripheral side. The short grooves II communicate with transversely extending cutout portions providing sockets or pocket-like depressions I8. As seen in Fig. 3, the threaded socket In is preferably located in a reduced portion I 9 in the central area of plug I2, this portion being formed preferably by removing a portion of the material of the plug. This reduced portion may, however, be eliminated and the threaded socket provided in the usual round contour and full diameter of the plug.

In assembling the parts, the cable I4 is laid lengthwise in the longitudinal groove I6, whereupon a suitable punch or other tool is employed to stake in both sides or the barrel or block member I2, as indicated at 20 in Fig. 5. By so securing the cable in the longitudinal groove or channel IS, the cable is prevented from becoming disengaged from the barrel or block member I2. While the cable cannot become entirely separated from member I2, it is free to slide longitudinally in groove I6, as well as to turn or rotate in said groove.

After the cable is placed in groove I6 and staked in, one. end thereof is formed into a single loop, such as loop Ila in Fig. l. The free end of loop Ma, with its attached sleeve I5, is then engaged with one of the shorter grooves or channels I'I, see Figs. 2 and .3, whereupon-the sleeve IE will engage the adjacent wall or abut-. ment 18a (Fig. 3) and prevent said free end of loop Hi from being disengaged with block member or barrel I2. The looped end Ma and the member I2 are now inserted into the body member or cylinder II until the outer end of the loop projects outwardly beyond the adjacent end of member I I. If it is desired to provide a pair of loops, such as indicated at 1A1) and I40 m Fig, l, the adjacent free end of the cable is so looped, whereupon the loose end of loop Itb is. brought into engagement with the other short slot or groove I! and the other and cooperating reduced portion .or socket I8, whereupon the sleeve or ferrule I5 on the cable end will engage the adjacent wall or abutment I 8a thereof and prevent said end from being disengaged from lock member I2. The block member I2 and its newly engaged loop end 14b are now slid further into telescopic relation with body member or cylinder II. The parts are relatively rotated so as to bring the hole or opening in sleeve II into registry with the threaded socket or (bore I2a in plug member I2. A threaded stud or fillister head screw, such as that shown at I3 in Fig. l, is now threadedly engaged with the socket and tightened down to hold the parts together in their operative relationship and against accidental displacement.

It is to be understood, of course, that before the looped ends are attached, as explained above, to the block member or barrel I2, the necessary number of keys are slipped over the ends of the cable to repose within the loops of said cable. The cable ends are then fastened and the parts assembled, as explained. As seen in Fig. 1, a single loop I ia. is provided atone end of the key holder body II, whereas a pair of loops or a double loop I422 and I40 is disposed at the opposite end of hollow body II. Single loop I la carries a single key A, loop IIIb carries a single key B and loop I40 likewise carries an individual key 0. Thus, it will be seen that each of the loops or looped portions of the flexible member or cable I4, carries an individual key, thus making the several keys individually and easily available when they are to be used. If desired, of course, the cable may be formed into single loops at the opposite ends, or into multiple loops I particular wishes and desires of the owner of the key holder,

It may be desirable to provide a different type of fastening means for securing the body portion H and the telescoped block member or barrel [2 together in operative relationship. In fact, it may be desirable to provide some readily releasable means for performing this function. One such means embodying the present invention is illustrated, merely by way of example, in the fragmentary detail view of Fig. '7 of the drawing. In this view, the body member II, which houses the plug member or block I2, is shown as provided with a hole or opening lia. The block l2, as shown, is provided With. a lateral or transversely extending bore or socket 25 having a lock ring or washer 26 at its upper end,

A spring-pressed locking member or assembly is disposed within the socket 25 an as shown, comprises a coiled compression spring 26 whose lower end engages the bottom of the socket and whose upper end engages a locking button or member 21 having an enlarged inner or lower end 28. It will be understood that the spring 26 normally urges the button or member '21 into its position of Fig. '7, wherein the outer end thereof is shown projecting through hole I la and beyond the outer surface of body member H. The lock ring or washer 26 will engage flange 28 of the button member to prevent it from becoming dislodged from block member or plug [2 when the parts are separated. When it is desirable to release member [2 from its telescoped position within .body ll, slight pressure inwardly on button member 21 will free the button from the opening Ila and allow block l2 to be withdrawn from its telescoped position within cylinder II. The assembly and/or disassembly of the somewhat modified form of the present invention seen in Fig. 7 is otherwise substantially the same as described in connection with the preceding form of the invention. To return member [2 to its position within body H of the form of Fig. '7, it is merely necessary to first depress button-like member 21 against the action of spring 26, allowing member l2 to be slid into body member ll. Button 21 is then brought into registry with the opening Hot in the cylinder, whereupon spring 26 functions to project the button outwardly and return it to the approximate position of Fig. '7.

Various other means may be employed to secure the parts together. The screw or threaded stud l3 and the spring pressed button 21 are shown merely by way of illustration of suitable means for this purpose. It is desirable, however, to provide means which will prevent any danger of accidental or unauthorized separation of the parts II and 12 which would permit the keys to be released from the holder.

As stated above, the tubular member II is preferably chamfered on its ends, as indicated at 1 lb in Fig. 2. Usually, although any desired kind of material may be employed for making the parts of the present key holder, the cylindrical portion or body II is made from a somewhat softer metal than the steel of cable 14. Therefore, by chamfering the ends of member, H as stated, the movement of the cable relative to the sleeve, and their consequent frictional contact, will not cause any wear on the material of the sleeve. The tubular body H is usually and preferably provided with a polished surface or finish, such as may be produced by nickel or chrome plating. Ordinarily, cable M is aplength has been found to be the most practical for providing supporting means for the average number of keys. If a greater number of keys are to be used and especially if it is desirable to provide a separate supporting loop for each individual key of a relatively large number of keys, the cable length chosen can be longer. The length of approximately eight (8) inches is mentioned merely as a typical length which may be used. Suitable Wire, unwoven, for example, may be substituted for cable It.

I claim:

1. A damage-resistant key holder comprising a body portion haivng a removable block member therein, a piece of flexible metal cable extending through the body portion and having its ends detachably connected to said block member within and concealed by the body portion when the parts are in operative relationship in such a manner as to provide at least one keyreceiving and supporting loop at each end of said body portion, and means for holding the body portion and removable block member together in operative relationship.

2. A key holder comprising a hollow body portion having open ends and a removable blocklike member having grooves and notches formed therein located within the hollow body portion, a length of flexible metal cable having an intermediate portion engaging one of said grooves and its end portions engaging other grooves and cooperating notches, stop means on said end portions to maintain said portions in said other grooves and cooperating notches against accidental displacement, said cable having key-receiving and supporting loops disposed at the ends of the block-like member and extending into said hollow body portion when the parts are assembled in operative relationship, and means for holding said parts in said assembled relationship.

3. A key holder having a cylindrical body portion open at opposite ends, a removable pistonlike member removably disposed within the body portion, a piece of flexible metal cable having its free end portions removably engaged with said piston-like member and having looped key-receiving and supporting portions disposed at opposite ends of said cylindrical body portion and said piston-like member, and means extending through the body portion and into the removable piston-like member and out of contact with said cable for holding the body portion, piston-like member, and cable in assembled operative relationship against accidental separation.

4. A key holder according to claim 3, wherein the cable is staked in said piston-like member to prevent its separation from said member while permitting its sliding and rotative movement relative thereto.

EDWARD J. PROTSMAN.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 200,880 Stewart Mar. 5, 1878 490,685 Schilling Jan. 31, 1893 849,983 Denlea Apr. 9, 1907 2,234,602 McIntosch Mar. 11, 1941 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 12,770 Sweden July 13, 1901 

